Four-day-heat surge to scorch states with ‘unseasonable’ temperatures

A final blast of heat is set to hit parts of the east coast of the country as locals flock to soak up the final scraps of summer.

A four-day heat surge will blast the east coast with scorching temperatures climbing to 40C in some towns.

Maximum temperatures are forecast to exceed 40C in some parts of the Pilbara in Western Australia, down to the SA coastline and into inland NSW over the coming days.

The mercury has climbed to 39C in Port Hedland in WA and will stay in the high-30s and low-40s for the best part of the next week.

The NSW town of Bourke, not far from Queensland border, is predicted to hit a record-breaking four-day streak of 40C days from Thursday to Sunday.

The temperature is due to drop to just 39C on Monday.

A huge heat surge begins on Thursday and carries through to Sunday in many parts of the east coast. Picture: Sky News

Four consecutive days of 40C temperatures have not been reported so far into autumn in more than 150 years of records.

Extreme Fire Danger is forecast for the southern and central ranges of NSW and the ACT as hot, dry conditions and fresh westerly winds intensify risk.

A streak of temperatures above 35C will also hit Dubbo, in the NSW central west, from Thursday to Sunday.

This is at least 6C above the average March temperature of 29C.

Temperatures will rise to 40C and stay high for days. Picture: Stormcast

The “unseasonably hot” temperatures will arrive on the east coast just a few days out from the autumn equinox.

“The prolonged nature of the coming hot spell is quite remarkable,” Weatherzone meteorologist Anthony Sharwood said.

Extreme heat will be focused on NSW’s far west, though western Sydney temperatures could soar to 40C while the city experiences heat in the mid-to-high 30s.

Sydney will cop the brunt of the heat on Thursday, with tops of 34C expected in the centre of the city.

Originally published as Four-day-heat surge to scorch states with ‘unseasonable’ temperatures